2024 Winter Commencement Ceremony

Commencement Speaker: Mike Phelan, President and CEO of BCI Burke Co.

For the past nine years, Mike Phelan has served as the President and CEO of BCI Burke, having originally joined the company in 2012 as Vice President of Operations. Under his leadership, Burke has not only focused on product innovation and expansion, but also significantly expanding distribution through representatives across North America, and also on acquisitive growth to drive the company’s success.

Mike and his team have transformed Burke’s manufacturing operations with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and have grown Burke’s workforce with top talent. These initiatives have significantly increased brand awareness and position Burke as a market leader.

Before his time at Burke, Mike gained extensive operational experience, including serving as General Manager of North American operations at Associated Spring. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois and a master’s in engineering management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Mike and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 26 years and live in Fond du Lac with their four children. Their oldest, Corrie, is 21 and a junior at UW-Madison studying Environmental Engineering, while also performing in the Badger marching band. Their 16-year-old twins, Dalton and Delaney, are both juniors at Fond du Lac High School, and their youngest, Cole, is 15 and a freshman at the same school.

Alumni Speaker: Carrie Kasubaski, Vice President of Finance and Administration at Moraine Park Technical College.

Carrie Kasubaski is a dedicated leader with a focus in higher education. In her role as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Moraine Park Technical College, she strives to support the success of others and the organization as a whole. Over the years, she has been fortunate to serve in various roles including faculty where she was able to make a direct impact on the lives of students.  It has been a true blessing for Carrie to serve in the very place where her own education began, giving her the unique opportunity to give back to the community that shaped her.

Student Speaker: Charles Dreher III, Student Ambassador

Charles (Chaz) is set to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in CNC/Tool and Die Technologies from Moraine Park Technical College in May 2025.  Chaz’s interest in CNC machining began in high school when he started working part-time at his uncle’s CNC shop, sparking a passion that led him to pursue further education and experience in the field. His commitment to technical education and his community has led to him being selected as 2024-2025 MPTC District Student Ambassador.

In addition to his Ambassador role, Chaz has been actively engaged in his student community, serving as the CNC club President, West Bend Student Senate Secretary, District Student Government (DSG) President, and was elected as Parliamentarian for the Wisconsin Student Government (WSG) executive board.

Beyond academics, Chaz is an avid runner, an outdoorsman, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. In the future, he hopes to continue to work in the manufacturing field and run a 100-mile endurance race.

Empire Photography has been photographing our commencement ceremonies for many years. Each graduate is photographed as they receive their diploma, and a solo portrait is also taken after they exit the stage. Proofs will be sent to graduates and their families approximately 48 hours after the ceremony.

View the QR code or follow the link to register: www.empirephotos.com/gradregistration

If you have any questions, please email Empire Photography at customerservice@empirephotos.com.